Rare! L.F. PINGREE Portland, Maine Mahogany Small Stock Level

A very rare 9″ small stock level by Luther F. Pingree of Portland, Maine. Levels by Pingree are quite rare; I only know of about 4 examples, this being the only small stock level by him that I’m aware of. It has full top and bottom brass plates, which are both stamped with maker name and location. Full brass bottom plates on small, early American made levels are very rare. Pingree was born May 25, 1813 in Norway, Maine, and died April 18, 1892. He is listed in the 1843 Maine Register as a Coroner in Oxford, CT. In 1846 his occupation was listed as machinist when he enlisted for one year during the Mexican War in 1st Regiment, Wendell P. Smith’s “G” Company. He was granted a patent for an artificial leg on July, 5, 1870, and was listed as a spirit level and artificial limb maker in Portland, ME in 1873. A special and very uncommon level.